Walking barefoot on a soft lawn is one of life’s simple pleasures, especially during Georgia’s warm summers. Zoysia grasses have become increasingly popular in the Peach State because they create cushiony lawns that feel amazing underfoot while standing up to our hot, humid climate.
If you’re looking to create the ultimate barefoot-friendly lawn in Georgia, these seven Zoysia varieties offer the perfect combination of softness and durability.
1. Emerald Zoysia: The Plush Carpet Option
Known for its incredibly fine texture, Emerald creates what many Georgia homeowners describe as a “lawn carpet.” The densely packed blades form a springy surface that feels luxurious between your toes.
This variety maintains its softness even during Georgia’s occasional dry spells. The tight growth pattern naturally crowds out weeds, meaning fewer chemicals and a safer surface for bare feet.
I’ve found Emerald particularly delightful in my backyard entertaining area, where guests often kick off their shoes without prompting!
2. Zeon Zoysia: The Barefoot-Friendly Champion
Walking across a Zeon lawn feels like treading on nature’s memory foam. The fine-bladed texture combined with moderate density creates a cushioned sensation that makes this variety particularly popular for families with children.
Many Georgia landscapers recommend Zeon specifically for its softness-to-durability ratio. The grass recovers quickly from foot traffic while maintaining that plush feel we crave.
During summer evenings in Atlanta suburbs, you’ll find many Zeon lawns hosting impromptu barefoot gatherings as neighbors enjoy its comfort.
3. Meyer Zoysia: The Time-Tested Softie
Sometimes called “Z-52,” Meyer has been gracing Georgia lawns since the 1950s, proving its adaptability to our climate. The medium-fine texture offers excellent softness while being slightly more forgiving with maintenance than some fussier varieties.
Summer evenings in South Georgia often find homeowners lounging directly on their Meyer lawns. The grass maintains a comfortable temperature even on hot days, making it perfect for barefoot activities.
My neighbor’s Meyer lawn has become our unofficial gathering spot precisely because of how good it feels underfoot.
4. El Toro Zoysia: The Quick-Growing Comfort Grass
While most soft grasses take forever to establish, El Toro breaks the mold by growing in quickly without sacrificing comfort. The medium-textured blades create a surprisingly soft surface considering its durability.
Georgia homeowners in coastal areas particularly appreciate El Toro. The salt tolerance means you can have a barefoot-friendly lawn even near the shore, where many other grasses struggle.
Last summer during a drought, my El Toro patch stayed soft when other grass varieties in the neighborhood turned crunchy and uncomfortable.
5. Geo Zoysia: The New Generation Softness
Developed with Georgia’s climate in mind, Geo Zoysia represents the newer generation of super-soft lawn grasses. Fine-textured blades grow in a dense pattern that feels almost like indoor carpeting when properly maintained.
The deep green color remains consistent throughout Georgia’s growing season. Even in partial shade areas where other Zoysias struggle, Geo maintains its cushiony texture, making it perfect for yards with tree coverage.
After installing Geo in my partially shaded backyard, I’ve noticed the kids naturally gravitate to it for barefoot play.
6. Empire Zoysia: The Tough-Yet-Tender Option
Don’t let Empire’s durability fool you – this grass offers remarkable softness despite being one of the more resilient Zoysia varieties. The wider blade provides a different kind of cushioning that many find just as comfortable as the finer-textured options.
For North Georgia homeowners dealing with varied terrain, Empire delivers consistent softness across the lawn. The adaptability to different soil types means your entire yard can be barefoot-friendly, not just select areas.
During family gatherings, I’ve noticed guests naturally migrate to our Empire lawn for barefoot cornhole tournaments.
7. Leisure Time Zoysia: The Ultimate Barefoot Luxury
As the name suggests, this premium Zoysia variety was developed specifically for recreational enjoyment. The ultra-fine texture combined with exceptional density creates what many Georgia lawn enthusiasts consider the softest possible surface.
Maintenance requirements are slightly higher, but the barefoot experience makes it worthwhile. The grass maintains its plush feel even during Georgia’s humidity spikes in late summer when other varieties might feel less comfortable.
My small section of Leisure Time has become the designated “barefoot zone” in our yard – it’s that noticeably softer than everything else!